The Deerpark Town Board unanimously passed Local Law No. 1 of 2013 at the March 25 meeting, which makes various changes that would attract new business.

The board has been working on the zoning changes since November and has also held two public hearings on the proposal.

The major points of the zoning changes were to make many special uses into permitted uses in business zones to help attract new business and expansion of business into the town.

In addition, the Hamlet-Mixed Use districts (HMU) along Route 209, Route 211 and Route 6 have been expanded on the zoning map to allow more options for property owners to market their properties to potential business opportunities.

"One of the major priorities of my administration was to make our town's zoning more business friendly, which will help to attract positive ratables and stabilizing our residential tax base," said Deerpark Supervisor Karl A. Brabenec.

"It's sad to go down Route 209 and see empty shells of buildings which used to house great businesses such as restaurants and hardware stores. I am happy to say the town is now open for business, and we hope that these changes are the first step to attract new business opportunities which will benefit our residents in many ways."

The board had previously made changes to its Interchange Business (IB) district, located off Exit 1 of Interstate 84, two years ago, which helped attract Planet Fitness, a new retail outlet center named "The HUB," and Alpin Haus, the new RV/Boat Superstore on Route 6 that is scheduled to open this month.

Brabenec said that the town will be working on other ideas for business marketing incentives in the coming months to help spur economic growth and create job opportunities and other conveniences for town residents.